Polyphenols benefits of olive leaf (Olea europaea L) to human health.
Sleutelwoorden
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The phenolic compounds present in olive leaves (Olea europaea L.) confer benefits to the human health.
OBJECTIVE
To review the scientific literature about the benefits of the polyphenols of olive leaves to human health.
METHODS
Literature review in the LILACS-BIREME, SciELO and MEDLINE databases for publications in English, Portuguese and Spanish with the descriptors "Olea europaea", "olive leaves", "olive leaf", "olive leaves extracts", "olive leaf extracts", "phenolic compounds", "polyphenols", "oleuropein", "chemical composition", and "health". There were identified 92 articles, but only 38 related to the objectives of the study and 9 articles cited in the works were included due to their relevance.
CONCLUSIONS
The phenolic compounds present in olive leaves, especially the oleuropein, are associated to antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and cardioprotective activity. Furthermore, studies associate the oleuropein to an anti-inflammatory effect in trauma of the bone marrow and as a support in the treatment of obesity.
